Container closure



Nov. 25, 1969 LE ROY H.'ROHDE 3,480,171

CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed Dec. 30. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 25, 1969 LEROY H. ROHDE 3,480,171

CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed Dec. 30, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGIB.

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United States Patent 3,480,171 CONTAINER CLOSURE Le Roy H. Rohde,Phoenixville, Pa., assignor to The West Company, Phoenixville, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 30, 1966, Ser. No. 606,061 Int.Cl. B65d 17/10, 41/12 US. Cl. 215-46 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Atear off cap for a container comprising an annular top portion, a skirtdepending from the outer peripheral edge of the top portion, a centraldisc connected to the annular top portion along a hinge line, a pair ofclosely spaced score lines in the top and skirt defining therebetween adetachable tab section, one of said score lines disposed adjacent oneend of the hinge line extending across the annular top and down saidskirt to a point spaced from the lower edge thereof, the other of saidscore lines being disposed adjacent the other end of said hinge line andcomprising a first segment extending across the top portion downwardlyalong the skirt and terminating upwardly from the lower edge thereof anda second segment aligned with the first segment spaced therefrom by abridge and extending to the lower edge of the skirt and a third scoreline in the cap approximately diametrically opposed from said tabportion including a first score line section extending across theannular top portion and down said skirt and a second score line sectionvertically aligned with said first score line section and opposedtherefrom to provide a short connecting bridge on said skirt serving asa hinge facillitating removal of the cap from the container, said secondscore line section extending to the lower edge of the skirt.

The present invention relates generally to container closures and moreparticularly to the outer cap structure used, for example, onpharmaceutical bottles or the like which normally seals the contents andis adapted to be torn off by the user when it is desired to dispense thecontents of the bottle.

These caps, which are commonly termed tear-off caps, generally hold astopper in place in the opening of a bottle and comprise an outer capportion having an annular top, a skirt which is adapted to be crimped atits lower edge over a flange finish on the bottle to hold it in placeand a removable disc disposed centrally of the annular top. In some ofthese prior caps, for example in the type shown in the Underwood PatentNo. 2,544,969, score lines are provided in the annular portion of thecap and skirt adjacent the disc which terminate short of the lower edge.By this construction when the central disc is peeled back, the annulartop and sidewall rip along the score lines. Since the score linesterminate short of the lower terminal edge of the cap, the tab usuallydoes not break all the way through the skirt whereby the cap stilladheres firmly to the container. However, it has been found that inorder to completely remove the cap, it is necessary to sever the tabformed by pulling on the disc completely and then peel back theremainder of the cap.

This, of course, is an extremely awkward and clumsy way to remove thecap entirely and requires in most instances two hands of the user.Furthermore, sharp edges invariably formed upon removal of the discpresent a hazard and risk of injury to the user when peeling back theremainder of the cap to remove it. More specifically, it has been foundthat even when the tab is completely severed from the remainder of thecap, two hands of the "ice user are still required to separate the capfrom the container.

With the foregoing in mind, a principal object of the present inventionis to provide a tear-off cap of the above type which is easy andeconomical to manufacture and which is much simpler to remove completelyfrom the bottle and wherein the risk of injury to the user caused byremoval of the cap is minimized. To this end, the cap structure includesa pair of closely spaced score lines extending on either side of themain connecting hinge of the disc to the annular top and downwardlyalong the skirt. One of the score lines terminates above the lower edgeof the skirt and other score line is broken to define a first segmentextending from the throat of the tab over the bent edge and a shortersegment spaced from the first segment by a short bridge connectionextending to the lower edge of the cap.

The cap further includes a third score line approximately diametricallyopposed from the closely spaced pair described above having an uppersegment which extends along the annular portion from its inner edge anddownwardly along the skirt and a lower segment spaced from the mainsegment and extending to the lower edge of the cap. This third scoreline provides a hinge during removal of the cap structure. By thisarrangement when it is desired to remove the cap, the disc is simplypeeled back to break the small bridges connecting the disc to theannular portion and as the disc is further pulled away from the bottle,a tail-like tab is formed between the closely spaced score lines. Thesegmented score line by reason of the fact that the lower segmentextends to the lower edge of the skirt breaks through entirely when thedisc and tab are pulled downwardly and results in separation of one sideof the tab from the skirt dividing the cap into three connected sectionswhich pivot outwardly away from the bottle about the pivot providedbetween the segments of the second score and the third score area torelease the cap from the bottle. Thus, it is readily apparent from theabove that the cap of the present invention is much simpler to remove bya one-hand operation and that the cap is capable of being completelyremoved without the user coming in close contact with any sharp orjagged edges formed during separation of the portions of the cap asnoted above.

With the foregoing in mind, an object of the present invention is toprovide a tear-off cap which may be removed easily and quickly andcompletely by a one-hand operation without risk of injury to the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tear-off cap ofrelatively simplified construction which is effective for the purposesintended.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tear-off cap whichis relatively easy and economical to manufacture.

These and other objects of the present invention and the variousfeatures and details thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tear-off closure constructed in accordancewith the present invention applied to a container such as a bottle;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 22 of FIG. 1 showinga portion of the bottle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of tear-off closure inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a pre-scored blank from which the cap shown inFIG. 3 is formed;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary perspective views illustrating removal ofthe closure from a bottle;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cap after removal from a bottle;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of closure inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plane view of the cap shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a pre-scored blank for making the secondembodiment of closure.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a third embodiment of container closure inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 1212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a circular blank from which the containerclosure shown in FIG. 11 is made; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the container closure prior toapplication to a container.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof,there is shown a container closure 10 constructed in accordance with thepresent invention applied to a container, in the present instance, abottle 12. The cap 10, in the present instance, holds a stopper 14 madeof rubber in place in the open end of the bottle. The bottle, asillustrated, has a reduced neck 16 and a radially outwardly projectingflange 18 adjacent the open end thereof providing an annular shoulder 19spaced downwardly from the open end of the bottle.

The closure 10 comprises, in the present instance, an outer cap 20having an outer annular top portion 22 and a generally cylindrical skirt24 depending from the outer circumferential edge of the annular topportion 22, the lower terminal edge 23 of the skirt 24 adapted to becrimped or spun under the shoulder 19 of the bottle to hold the cap inplace. The closure further includes a central circular disc memberconnected to the annular top portion by fracturable bridge means 31 andalong one arcuate edge portion of the disc is connected to the annulartop by a hinge section as at 32. The disc has an upturned edge portion34 diametrically opposed from the tab connection 32 which is designed tobe engaged by the fingernail of the user or another implement to pry thedisc 30 upwardly when it is desired to raise the disc and expose thestopper. The disc in the present instance has a raised rib in the formof an arrow to rigidity the disc upon actuation thereof to expose thestopper.

In accordance with the present invention, the cap is characterized bynovel features of construction and arrangement whereby the cap may becompletely removed from the container in one operation by one hand ofthe user without contacting any sharp edges generally produced onremoval of a tear-off cap of this type. To this end, in accordance withthe embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 inclusive, twoclosely spaced score lines and 42 are provided which, as illustrated,define therebetween a tab 43 connected to the disc 30 and a single scoreline section 44 is provided opposite the tab 43 approximatelydiametrically opposed from the score lines 40 and 42. The score lines 40and 42 in the present instance have substantially parallel sections 40aand 42a respectively in the annular tap portion of the cap extendingfrom the inner edge thereto to a point adjacent the outer edge of theannular portion and depending sections 40b and 42b respectivelyextending downwardly along the skirt of the cap. These score linesections 40b and 42b converge inwardly to provide a truncated Varrangement of the score lines in the skirt of the cap. Further, asillustrated in the present instance the score line segment 42bterminates short of the lower end of the flange and the score linesection 40b has a lower extension 41b spaced from the score line section40b to define a connecting bridge and extending fully to the lower edgeof the skirt. The score line 44 also has a segment 44a extending acrossthe annular portion from the inner to the outer terminal edge thereof, adepending segment 44b extending down the skirt of the cap and a lowerextension 45b which is spaced from the segment 44b by a short connectingbridge 47. It is noted that in the present instance the score linesections 40b and 42b in the skirt 24 terminate at a point approximatelythe same distance from the lower edge of the skirt and bridge 55 isnarrower than the distance from the lower end of the score line segment42b and the lower edge of the skirt.

Consider now the procedure to remove a cap in accordance with thepresent invention from the bottle 12. The bottle 12 is supported withone hand of the user, for example, the left hand and the user positionsa fingernail of the thumb of the right hand underneath the raised edgeportion 34 of the disc 30 and pries it upwardly to a point where he cangrasp it with the thumb and forefinger. The disc 30 is then raised toinitially break the bridge connections to the annular portion of the capand pivot the disc about the hinge line 32, the embossed indicatingarrow 51 serving as a strengthening rib to prevent buckling of the disc.Now, upon further pulling of the disc 30 in a radially outwarddirection, the annular top and skirt break away at the score lines byvirtue of the score line to form a pull tab extension 43 integrallyconnected to the disc and to the remainder of the cap along an extensionof the score line 42b. It is noted that the bridge connection betweenthe score line sections 40b and 41b fractures to completely sever thecap along a line through the score lines 40b and 41b. By thisarrangement further pulling of the disc in the manner described abovecauses the score lines 44 and 45b to fracture as indicated in FIG. 7 toform a hinge-like connection between the score lines thereby separatingthe cap in halves so that it drops away from the neck of the bottle. Itis noted that in the present instance the tab has a truncated V portiondefined by the downwardly converging score lines. Further, it is notedthat the provision of the score line extension 41b and 45b are importantfactors in the overall score arrangement to facilitate easy removal ofthe cap in the manner described above.

Tear-01f caps in accordance with the present invention may be made froma flat sheet of soft metal such as aluminum by stamping out circularblanks B of the type illustrated in FIG. 4 and simultaneously with thestamping operation providing groups of score lines in the blank asshown. In the present instance, the score lines formed in each circularblank include the score lines 40 and 42 which are parallel and aredisposed on opposite sides of a true radial line extending from thecenter of the blank. The inner spaced ends of the score lines 40 and 42define the hinge portion between the annular top and center disc whenthe circular disc blank is stamped and formed into the finished cap.

Preferably the score line 44 and extension 45b are disposed on a radialline continued from the true radial line between the score lines 40 and42. Following the pre-scoring step, the disc-like blanks are formed in astamping and forming operation to provide the finished cap shown in FIG.3 and in this scoring operation the center disc and various bridges andedges of the finished cap are formed including the depending skirt. Itis noted that the score lines 40 and 42 become downwardly convergingscore lines in the skirt of the cap due to the flow of metal caused bythe stamping and forming operation. As noted above, this produces atruncated V arrangement of the score lines in the skirt so that when thecap is torn off, the metal in the cap has a natural tendency to tearalong a V and the arrangement of the score lines utilizes such tendencyto advantage.

There is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 a second embodiment of container closureor cap in accordance with the present invention. The cap, generallysimilar to the previously described embodiment includes an annular topportion 122, a generally cylindrical disc member disposed centrally ofthe annular top portion and connected thereto by fracturable bridgemeans 131 and a hinge line 132. The disc 130 has an upturned edgeportion 134 so that the disc may be pried upwardly for removal when itis desired to remove the cap from the container. The disc 130 alsoincludes an embossed rib 151 in the form of an arrow to serve as arigidifying means upon removal of the The cap includes a plurality ofscore lines which are severed during actuation of the disc to divide thecap into sections and permit removal thereof by a one-hand operation,the cap thus being termed a tear-off type. The score lines are arrangedin generally the same manner as in the previously described embodiment,there being a pair of closely spaced score lines 140 and 142 definingtherebetween a tab 143 on one side of the cap and a single score line144 diametrically opposed from the tab 143. In the present instance,however, the score lines 140 and 142 have outwardly diverging sections140a and 142a extending across the annular top portion from the inner tothe outer edges thereof and depending sections 140b and 142b extendingdownwardly along the skirt of the cap which, as illustrated, aregenerally parallel to one another. As in the previously describedembodiment, the score line segment 142b terminates short of the lowerend of the skirt and to score line segment 140b has a lower extension1411) spaced from the section 140b by a short connecting bridge 155, theextension 141b extending to the bottom edge of the skirt 124. It isnoted that in the present instance the score line sections 140b and1421: in the skirt 124 terminate at a point approximately the samedistance from the lower edge of the skirt and that the bridge 155 isnarrower than the distance from the lower end of the score line segment142b and the lower edge of the skirt.

The score line 144 has a segment 144a extending across the annular topportion 122, a depending segment 144b extending down the skirt and lowerextension 145b spaced from the segment 144b by a short connecting bridge147 defining a hinge about which the halves of the cap pivot duringremoval from the container.

The embodiment is removed from a container in the same manner describedabove in connection with the previous embodiment. It is noted, however,that in the present instance the tab has a V-shaped formation adjacentthe disc 130 and a generally rectangular formation along the width ofthe skirt 124.

This embodiment of cap may be made from flat sheet material by stampingout circular blanks B therefrom of the type illustrated in FIG. 10. Thisdisc is formed with a plurality of score lines which prior to formationof the disc into a cap are generally aligned and arranged as shown inFIG. 10. As illustrated, the score lines 140*, 142 and 144 are trueradial lines extending from the center of the disc.

There is shown in FIGS. 11-14 a third embodiment of container closure orcap in accordance with the present invention. The cap, generally similarto the previously described embodiment includes an annular top portion222, a generally circular disc member 230 disposed centrally of theannular top portion and connected thereto along a hinge line 232. Asbest illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the disc 230 has an upturned edgeportion 234 so that the disc may be pivoted upwardly for removal when itis desired to remove the cap from the container.

The disc 230 also includes a series of embossed ribs 251 to serve asrigidifying means upon removal of the disc. The cap further includes acylindrical skirt 224 which depends from the annular top portion 222 andis adapted at its lower edge to be turned under or crimped inwardly toengage under an annular shoulder 218 on the container 212. The containerclosure of the present invention is adapted to hold a stopper 214 inplace in the open end of thecontainer. In the present instance, there isalso provided a circular metal disc 215 between the stopper and cap.

The cap includes a plurality of score lines which are severed to permitremoval of the cap and which are oriented to divide the cap intosections, this cap also being termed a tear-off type cap. The scorelines are arranged in generally the same manner as in the previouslydescribed embodiments. Thus there are a pair of closely spaced scorelines 240 and 242 defining therebetween a tab 243 on one side of the capformed integrally with the disc on the opposite side of the hinge line232 and a single score line 244 diametrically opposed from the tab 243.In the present instance the score lines 240 and 242 are not continuous,the score line 240 including a first section 240a extending from theinner edge of the annular portion approximately halfway across the top,a second section 24% in line with the first section 240a and spacedtherefrom by a short connecting bridge 240e, the second section 24%extending across the top and down the skirt and a third section 240dspaced from the intermediate section by a short connecting bridge 240eand extending to the lower edge of the skirt as best illustrated in FIG.14. Score line 242 comprises a first section 242a parallel to and of thesame length as the score line 240a and a second section 242b spaced fromthe short score line section 242a by a connecting bridge 242c. Thelonger section 242b terminates short of the lower terminal edge of theskirt again as best illustrated in FIG. 14. The portions of the scorelines extending along the skirt diverge inwardly toward one another sothat the tab portion has a tapered tail. The score line 244 has asection 244a extending along the inner edge of the annular portion down-'wardly along the skirt and a second section 244b spaced from the firstsection and in line therewith by a short connecting bridge 2 44c. Thelower portion 244b of the score line 244 terminates at the lower edge ofthe skirt 244.

The container closure described above is adapted for removal from acontainer or bottle 212 in the same manner described above in connectionwith the previous embodiments.

The container closure shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 14 may be made from flatsheet material by stamping out circular blanks B" of the type shown inFIG. 13, the blank being formed with a plurality of score lines whichprior to formation thereof into a cap are generally aligned and arrayedas shown in FIG. 13. In this connection it is noted that the score lines240- and 242 are parallel to one another in the circular blank and arenot true radial lines, whereas the score line 244 is a true radial lineextending from the center of the circular blank.

It is noted that in the illustrated embodiments of the invention andwith respect particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the extended score line isto the left of the shortened score line. It is to be understood thatthese score lines can be reversed and the cap would function inprecisely the same manner as the described embodiments.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit theinvention and changes and modifications may be made.

1. A tear oif cap for a container comprising an annular top portion, askirt depending from the outer peripheral edge of the top portion, acentral disc connected to the annular top portion along a hinge line, apair of closely spaced score lines in the top and skirt definingtherebetween a detachable tab section, one of said scope lines disposedadjacent on end of the hinge line extending across the annular top anddown said skirt to a point spaced from the lower edge thereof, the otherof said score lines being disposed adjacent the other end of said hingeline and comprising a first segment extending across the top portiondownwardly along the skirt and terminating upwardly from the lower edgethereof and a second segment aligned with the first segment spacedtherefrom by a bridge and extending to the lower edge of the skirt and athird score line in the cap approximately diametrically opposed fromsaid tab portion including a first score line section extending acrossthe annular top portion and down said skirt and a second score linesection vertically aligned with said first score line section andopposed therefrom to provide a short connecting bridge on said skirtserving as a hinge facilitating removal of the cap from the container,said second score line section extending to the lower edge of the skirt.

2. A cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein said central disc is circular.

3. A cap as claimed in claim 1 including fracturable bridge meansconnecting said central disc to said annular top portion.

4. A cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein said central disc has a ribformed therein serving as a strengthening member.

5. A cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disc has an upturned edgeportion diametrically opposed from said hinge line adapted to serve as ameans to permit engagement of the disc for removal thereof.

6. A cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portions of said score linesin the annular top are parallel and wherein the portions of said scorelines in said skirt converge downwardly to form a truncatedV-arrangement.

7. A cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portions of said score linesin the annular top are outwardly divergent and the portions of scorelines in said skirt are parallel.

8. In a blank of generally circular form for making a tear off cap for acontainer, means defining a plurality of score lines, said score linesincluding a pair of closely spaced score lines, one of said score linesterminating at a point spaced from the outer periphery of said blank andshort of the center thereof, said other score line including a firstsegment terminating at a point spaced inwardly from the outer peripheraledge of the blank and a second segment aligned with the first segmentand spaced therefrom by a short connecting bridge and extending to theouter peripheral edge thereof and a third score line approximatelydiametrically opposed from said first pair of score lines including afirst section spaced inwardly from the outerperipheral edge of saidblank and a second section aligned with said first section extending tothe outer periphery of the blank, said first and second sections beingspaced apart to define a short connecting bridge.

9. A blank as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pair of score lines areparallel and disposed on opposite sides of a true radial line extendingfrom the center of the blank.

10. A blank as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pair of score lines areoutwardly divergent and are true radial score lines.

7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,214,675 2/1917 Heath 215462,222,371 11/1940 N esset.

2,387,955 10 /1945 Tilson 21546 X 2,544,969 3/1951 Underwood 2l546 XDONALD F. NORTON. Primary Examiner

